SCSU MEN'S HOCKEY TRANSITIONS INTO 2007-08 SEASON
The SCSU men's hockey team hit the ice at 8:00 AM on Saturday, October 6 with the first full team practice of the 2007-08 season. With the season opener vs Canisius less than a week away there was no wasting time as coaches Motzko, Gibbons and Rud put the players through a very high tempo session emphasizing speed, transition, passing and zone breakout. "Right now I'm very happy with where we are at but obviously our lines will be shuffled as we proceed through our first week of practice." said Coach Motzko. "We're very pleased with all of our youngsters and we'll blend them in with the veterans to balance our lines the best we can. We look forward to the start of the season."
Only six months post the Huskies last game vs the University of Maine in the NCAA regional tournament in Rochester, NY much has changed. All-American goaltender Bobby Goepfert who re-wrote the record books at SCSU and signed with the Anaheim Ducks is currently with the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League. Top scorer and senior to be Andrew Gordon couldn't pass up a pro deal and signed with the Washington Capitals. He's with their affiliate, the Hershey Bears of the AHL. Nate Raduns stuck with the San Jose Sharks until late in training camp and eventually signed with the Worcester Sharks of the AHL. Third round NHL draft choice Casey Borer was a late cut by Carolina of the NHL and is skating with Albany of the AHL. Fellow defenseman, Justin Fletcher signed with Norfolk of the AHL. Add to the departure list Dan Kronick, who scored 14 goals in 2006-07 and regular, Grant Clafton (Utah Grizzlies) and you get the picture - there's some holes to fill in the 2007-08 roster.
GOALTENDER:
Patience is the word at Goaltender. On paper, the squad has two NHL draftees in Sophomore, Jase Weslosky (Edmonton, AB- New York Islanders) and Freshman, Dan Dunn (Oshawa, Ont - Washington Capitals). That's impressive, but, both have just turned 19 years old and are simply lacking collegiate game experience. The veteran of the group is 22 year old BJ O'Brien (Lakeville, MN) but even O'Brien's college experience was limited to one period during an exhibition game in 2006-07. The coaching staff admits it's unrealistic to place any pressure on it's goaltending unit. Rather, they are resigned to accepting some inconsistency in their netminders play until they log enough playing time to get acclimated to the college game. They'll then be able to do a proper evaluation of their unit. Weslosky, who saw ice time in six games in 2006-07, probably has the slight edge to start the season and will most likely be the Friday starter. His 5-1-0 record in 2006-07 was only blemished by a seven goal onslaught by UND at the NHC last March. Six foot two Weslosky has worked hard over the summer, has more physical maturity and added muscle. The other draftee, Dan Dunn has the new age NHL physique at six foot five and 210 pounds and the raw talent that made him an NHL draft choice. His .93 SV% and 1.94 GAA were sparkling but the OPJHL is not the WCHA. His future looks good and he'll be brought along carefully by the Huskies coaching staff. O'Brien, the elder statesman, has plenty of junior hockey games to his credit and will be given his opportunity to shine.
FORWARD:
The forward position is loaded with talent and thus could be one of the most explosive SCSU offensive teams in several years. The departure of goal scorers Gordon and Kronick hurt and there will be a huge void to fill in the grit and ice time logged by centerman, Nate Raduns. The closest model to Raduns is Calgary draftee and true freshman, Aaron Marvin ( Warroad, MN). He's caught the coaches eyes already with his size, ability to dig for the puck along the boards and soft hands. He'll see ice time immediately. Two of the top forwards in college hockey, Andreas Nodl and Ryan Lasch are back and according to the coaching staff are stronger and primed for an immediate impact. They produced 34 goals and 85 points as freshman and should surpass those numbers this season. Joining Lasch and Nodl on one of the top lines will be senior Nate Dey who's been a reliable scorer and relentless worker at center. In the footsteps of outstanding senior seasons by Brock Hooton (2005-06) and Nate Raduns (2006-07) this should be a special year for Dey. Other players relied on to bolster the offense and provide veteran leadership are Seniors Matt Hartman and Marty Mjelleli and Juniors John Swanson and Mike Olson. Team success is always related to the play of it's upperclassmen and these players will be called upon to lead and provide some scoring punch. Sophomores, AJ Gale and Ryan Peckskamp showed a glimpse of their ability in 2006-07 and will be battling for regular ice time in 2007-08. The coaching staff has a first -year bounty in previously mentioned Marvin, Garrett Roe (Vienna, VA), Tony Mosey (Prior Lake, MN), Brian Volpie (Burbank, CA), Tampa Bay draftee Luca Cunti (Dubendorf, Swiss) and Detroit Red Wings draftee Nick Oslund (Burnsville, MN). U of MN transfer Brent Borgen will also play a key role. The rough and tumble Oslund should become an outstanding college player and will help replace the size lost due to the graduation of Raduns and Kronick. The feisty Garrett Roe will get immediate ice time and will grab one of the top centerman positions before long. With his motor running at all times and ability to make plays he'll become a fan favorite. Borgen brings high end speed to the lineup and is ready to prove his worth as a WCHA player after his departure from the Gophers. The duo of Mosey and Volpie who played together at Shattuck-St. Mary's and at Salmon Arm in the BC league are receiving high praise from the coaching staff and are the future of the SCSU offense. Both could have a surprising impact by the second half of the 2007-08 season. Finally, Luca Cunti (still not cleared by the NCAA as of this writing) could be a serious impact player from an offensive standpoint. His skating and skill are undeniable and his 6'2" 190 frame will be an asset in the physical WCHA.
DEFENSE:
Defensively, the Huskies are regrouping after the departure of two-time captain, Casey Borer, Justin Fletcher and Grant Clafton, all players who saw substantial ice time for four years. Captain and Senior, Matt Stephenson is a gritty and physical defenseman who has surprised the coaches with his offensive abilities and will be counted on to lead the defensive corps. Another Senior defenseman in the lineup, Chris Anderson saw his ice time limited at defense in 2006-07 and is anxious to impact the lineup this season. "My goal is to establish myself in the lineup , my role as a player and help lead this team to a successful post season" said Anderson. My goal is to be a consistent solid defensive presence back on the blueline." Nobody has worked harder than Anderson who is looking forward to a special senior season. "I did something different this summer. I didn't take a summer job and concentrated on my training efforts. I feel like I'm in the best shape I've ever been in. I want to hang a championship banner in the National Hockey Center, not only for the team and the program but for the fans and the community. I can't wait to get going" said Anderson. Two other veterans looking to solidify the defense are Senior Aaron Brocklehurst who has the ability to put up huge offensive numbers and Junior David Carlisle who has been steady and reliable his first two seasons. Both are excellent skaters and will be called on to improve the Huskies transition game. Brocklehurst who skated at forward for a portion of the 2006-07 season has perhaps the hardest shot on the team and will hopefully use it to success on the power play. Sophomores, Craig Gaudet and Jon Ammermann saw limited ice time in 2006-07 and are being counted on to elevate their play and gain regular shifts this season. Both have a history of success as junior hockey players and will battle for regular icetime. Sophomore, Garrett Raboin was perhaps the biggest surprise in 2006-07 as he stepped into the lineup immediately and was a staple at defense all season. The 5' 10" 185 pound Raboin showed no fear and quickly gained a reputation as one of the toughest pound for pound hitters in the WCHA. His hits on opposing players routinely made the highlight reels in 2006-07. He will continue to be a big part of the SCSU defense this season. Only one first-year player will be a part of the Huskies defense this season but much like Garrett Raboin, Brett Barta (Moorhead, MN) is expected to have an impact and log regular ice time. A seasoned offensive defensive with good size, Barta should become a solid collegiate defenseman and a staple in the Huskies lineup for the next four seasons.
The WCHA coaches poll has this team pegged for a sixth place league finish in 2007-08. That's probably a safe early season bet considering the huge holes to fill at goaltender and defense. However, the team has the potential to be extremely potent offensively. And, if the goaltending unit can find it's groove early and exceed early season expectations this team could surprise many. Senior leadership on defense is crucial and their ability to provide solid defensive play will be immeasurable help to the young and inexperienced goaltending unit.
